Star of the week: Vera Rayson

Vera Rayson is an amateur photographer from Campbell Town, Tasmania. She loves birds and takes a zen-like approach to capturing great photographs without a long lens.

You’ve contributed many beautiful shots of birdlife to ABC Open. What draws you to photographing birds?

I always loved birds, but never had the opportunity to just sit back and watch them. When we bought our house, ten years ago with a rather large garden surrounded by dry, sheep grazing paddocks, I knew what I wanted this garden to be: bird friendly, an oasis for the birds and us.

We planted trees, lots of shrubs and bushes. I set out to create cosy little corners for me to sit quietly. Each spot is equipped with a birdbath and a comfortable seat nearby. It didn’t take long for the small birds to move in. Some stayed over winter, others came back each year to nest. All through the year we have a large variety of birds. Most of my bird photos are taken in or around my garden.

The birds not only taught me patience and how to relax without feeling guilty for sitting down, I also learnt how to use my camera quickly and efficiently. Birds never sit still for long. You can’t tell them to pose for you. The ones who stay all year around have gotten used to my camera and me. They will allow me to get close enough so I can aim to get a better photo.

Do you have any tips for shooting birds and capturing their movement?

You always have to be ready. This means never go anywhere without your camera. The black and white shot of the Green Rosella, for instance, was sheer luck. I was about to take a photo of a flower, near a hawthorn bush, in black and white. My camera setting was on close-up when suddenly the Rosella flew off. There was no time to switch settings, so this is purely a point and shoot photo.

The tip here is: just go for it, have fun and don’t worry too much about perfection. That will come with practice. As with all wildlife photography, patience has to be one of your main pieces of equipment.

The photo of the flower really does look almost like fireworks. How did you shoot such a close up shot and ensure the ends of the stamens were so perfectly in focus?

I experimented with different settings on my camera. After numerous shots I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted it to look like an explosion! I just couldn’t focus close enough to get that effect as well as a clear shot.

“Why don’t you use a magnifying glass”? my husband called out, highly amused about the awkward positions I put myself in to get the right shot. Why not, I thought. I chose the automatic close-up setting and held the magnifying glass in front of the camera lens. It was better, but still not what I wanted. I needed a bright light. At that moment the sun came out and shone directly onto the flowers. A bit more experimenting with distances and being careful not to let any shadows into the photo, I took a few shots. Finally, I had what I wanted - an explosion.

Why do you enjoy contributing to ABC Open?

It gives me a purpose to keep taking photos. I like sharing them. Other contributors' photos inspire me and give me ideas on how to create and compose my photos better.

I read and learn from the advice given in blogs by various producers as well as contributors. It keeps me interested, busy and I know help is just an email away should I need it. Photography is a hobby that combines many activities, like walking, creating, computer and communication skills. It’s just a wonderful way of keeping active and connected.

Have you contributed to any other ABC Open projects?

Writing is another activity to keep my brain ticking over. Now and then I participate in the 500 Words project. I admit I’m not very good at that, but there is no harm in giving it a go to get better at it. By reading stories from other contributors I learn how to structure and make a story more interesting for the reader, so they keep on reading.

I have a tendency to be short, precise and to the point, therefore find 500 words is sometimes a problem for me. Opening up, letting total strangers into my life and sharing intimate moments with them, is also something I have to work on.

The one project I really enjoyed was Object Stories. I didn’t even have to think hard, it just flew onto the page. I will have to find another object and have a second go at that.

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Comments

Vera Rayson

Thanks so much Merle. I really do enjoy taking photos and sharing them and I'm glad that you enjoy them too. Getting comments like yours makes taking photos even more pleasurable.

Merle Poletto

Vera, you really have an eye for beauty. I loved the old bridge with the reflection, The old tree amongst the canola crop, Clarry and your birds. The one announcing the arrival of spring is a gem with the blue background and the white flowers. Thanks for sharing your work on ABC Open

Bronwyn

Great to see you are continuing to share your beautiful photographs and other stories as well.

Vera Rayson

Lisa, Malcolm and Gemma. Thank you so much for your kind comments, they inspire me to keep going. I appreciate it very much, and it may help me to think- Yes- I can do this.

Gemma Deavin

I am so glad to see you featured as a Star contributor Vera. I have always enjoyed your Snapped photos and vividly remember your 'Winter' shots from down south when I was up in warm Western Queensland. Being ready for birds is definitely great advice. I look forward to seeing more of your work to come on ABC Open.

Malcolm Wells

I love the photos, especially the birds and the almost 3-D effect of the stamens